On the Dynamics of Energy Consumption and Employment in Illinois

This short empirical study utilizes U.S. annual data from 1976 to 2006 to examine the causal relationship between energy consumption and employment in Illinois within a multi-variate framework. The Toda-Yamamoto long-run causality tests reveal unidirectional causal-ity from energy consumption to employment supportive of the growth hypothesis. However, the importance of energy consumption in economic activity should not overshadow the envi-ronmental consequences of heavy reliance on fossil fuel consumption as well as the relevance of alternative renewable energy sources and improved energy efficiency for future economic growth.